June 2011 entries

June 24, 2011

Summer parties are the best aren’t they? The weather is nice, the food is made on the grill and you’re gathered with all of your friends. If you’re having a big gathering it’s a good idea to have a few games planned to entertain yourself and your guests. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor party games.

Croquet. Now don’t laugh. I recently played this for the first time in years and I had a blast. Everyone chuckled when we wheeled out the set and everyone laughed when I made the course; but lo and behold everyone had a blast playing. So dust off your set and get ready for some good times.

Corn Hole. For a game based on a sixth grade carnival game, it’s coming back in a big way. This is a great summer game because all ages can play and it’s a fun game to watch. Now, it would be the absolute perfect game if I could convince my grandma to give it a shot.

Volleyball. There is one ground rule you have to set and agree to before you start and that is how serious are you going to take the game? If there are little ones playing then probably not too serious. If it’s only adults then the game will be a more serious. The problem is when there is a mix of age groups. The reason I stress this is because it can be a little awkward if a 6 footer spikes on a thirteen year old. Set ground rules before you start to avoid the awkwardness. (See Meet The Fockers for a visual explanation of what can go wrong.)

Horseshoes. This is a summer time classic. I’m always a little disappointed if I go to a summer party and they don’t have horseshoes. Don’t disappoint your guests; have horseshoes.

Bocce. This is a great game because it allows a large number of people to play, while allowing immense enjoyment for those watching. It’s even better playing on a lawn that’s a little bumpy because then it becomes an even more enjoyable and frustrating game.

These are all great day time summer games. But what happens when the sun goes down? Are you just going to go home? I didn’t think so. Here are two late night summer party games.

Ghosts in the Graveyard. You remember the game don’t you? And you remember how incredible it was? (If you forgot here are the rules to Ghosts in the Graveyard.) I would imagine people would be hesitant to play, but will be all in once the fun starts.

Flashlight Tag. This game depends on having charged flashlights ready to go. (Finding more than one working flashlight at my house is always an issue.) So if you plan on playing make sure you have the requisite number of flashlights for everyone to play.

These summer games should serve you and your guests well. If you have any summer favorites, leave them in the comments below.

June 22, 2011

As a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, I’m really excited for the 2011 NBA Draft on Thursday (6/23). After a pretty miserable season there is reason to celebrate, a reason to look forward to next season. With a savvy front office willing to make moves, I can’t wait for the draft. Of course, Cleveland wasn’t the only team that was bad last year, so why not throw a NBA Draft Watch Party?

This will be a Cleveland-centric based party, so just change it up based on your hometown.

Decorations. Hang banners/jerseys/pennants from the glory years of your respective franchise. In fact, display all memorabilia from all of your teams. You want to build a lot of good karma for the newly drafted players.

Cleveland Food. I’m going for an all around Cleveland feel for this Draft Party. So before the actual draft I’ll be serving delicious corned beef, hot dogs with Cleveland Stadium Mustard, Pierre’s Ice Cream, Malley’s Chocolate. And of course Great Lakes Brewing Company beer to wash it all down. Is this the healthiest menu of all time? No, not at all. Will it be delicious? Of course it will be.

Activities. Like the Super Bowl this is an event that is based on watching an event on T.V. I’m going to have an inflatable basketball (or two) and I’m going to challenge everyone to dunk contest. Because it’s inflatable basketball, the chances of hurting ourselves (or my flatscreen) is minimal. Another activity is having a gentlemen’s bet on the draft itself. Who’s going to be the number one pick? The number two? The sixth pick? Nobody really knows, so you’re guess really is just as good as the experts. This is also a way to keep everyone interested in the draft all the way through.

Enjoy your NBA Draft Watch Party. And if the chips don’t fall the way you want remember, there’s always next year :)

June 17, 2011

A few weeks back my boys attended a Pirate Adventure Birthday Party that was too cute not to share pictures from the party. The kids started with pirate crafts. There were wooden frames and pirate hats that they could decorate with pirate stickers and letter stickers. They were great favors and the kids have been wearing their hats everyday since the party. The best part, I thought, was the ocean scene setter. The mom had out pirate accessories like hooks and swords. They took pictures of all the kids and sent them to everyone with their thank you notes. We now have an adorable pirate frame from the party with a picture of my kids as pirates. Adorable. Centerpieces were simple pirate treasure chests with balloons coming off the top. Gold doubloons, treasure maps and jewels were scattered on the table.

Here are a few of these pirate decorations and others that work for a great pirate bash:

I thought it was such a fun party and especially loved all the fun pirate theme decorations. The entertainment was great! A pirate came to the party to entertain the crowd. He was fantastic and the kids had a blast. You can’t go wrong with a pirate theme party!

June 16, 2011

Apart from coming up with many of my own Backyard BBQ Party Ideas for this summer, I have actually been invited to other numerous summer parties. I always offer to bring a dish, but many times the host graciously lets me off the hook (maybe it's my cooking?!)

My mom taught me that you always bring something to a party, so I have been looking on my favorite handmade selling community Etsy for ideas. Here are a few wonderful gifts that will give your host a summer (party) to remember!

Place two sets of the tourist gear in two piles. This is the starting line.

Put a marker, such as a chair, inflatable palm tree at a far distance from the starting line. This is the finish line, which everyone has to run around.

Divide guests into two teams.

The first player for each team puts on the tourist gear then runs down to the marker and back again.

When they get to the start/finish line they take off the gear and the next awaiting team member puts the gear on and races to the markers.

Whichever team is finished first wins the tacky tourist relay race. With this game, don’t forget to pull out the camera. A picture of Uncle Sal in a snorkel, fins, and a muumuu= priceless!

Hula Hoop Spin Off - Like a dance off, have all of the guests hula-hoop to the best of their ability to music. The person who hula-hoops the longest wins. You can give out prizes for the most creative hula-hoop, worst hula-hoop, and most rhythmic hula-hoop. Have a medal ceremony but use leis instead!

The Limbo - this is a classic luau party game good for all ages. Buy a bamboo stick from a craft or floral store (they are very inexpensive) and put on some good limbo music (my favorite is "Limbo" by Lord Tickler and Calypsonians)

The adult version is what I like to call the "Mai Tai Limbo" - Before going under the limbo stick each guest takes a sip. And they have to hold the glass as they limbo. Whoever spills their drink loses and whoever makes it to the lowest level while holding their Mai Tai wins.

Tropical Scavenger Hunt - This is a game that is usually relatively inexpensive and time-consuming, good for both kids and parents. Write out clues on index cards. Give the party-goers clues that take them from place to place, finding different tropical items (leis, drink umbrella, shells, coconut, toy fish). Or give clues for different locations around the party, and when the kid's get there they get a stamp in their "passport".

Pass the Sand - You need sand and containers (beach pails work well) for this game. Divide the guests into two teams and line them up. Have the person in each line grab a handful of sand from a container. They must pass the sand to the next player, who passes it to the next, and so on down the line. When the sand reaches the last player, he/she pours what is left of it on a plate. The team with the most sand wins the game. (You may have to weigh the sand on a food scale if it's close.)

For the kids do some fun summer games with a tropical twist like Musical Chairs to Hawaiian Music or Coconut Toss (same as hot potato).

Do you have any luau party game ideas? Leave them in the comments below!

June 14, 2011

Father’s Day is June 19th which means it’s time to start getting ready to celebrate. But first, a little "Did You Know?" Father's Day was the well-meaning creation of Mrs. John Dodd of Spokane in 1910. Calvin Coolidge recognized the day when he was President, but it wasn't until 1966 that it was actually proclaimed.

Here are a few suggestions for possible gift ideas this Father’s Day.

Golf. If your old man plays golf then you have a lot of options for your gift. Depending on your budget you could take him to the links for a round of golf. And I’m not talking Putt-Putt (even if it is awesome). If your budget can afford it, look into getting him a new set of clubs. (Buying new clubs is very personal for men, so make sure he is there with you when you buy them.) Less expensive is the gift of a new driver/putter/wedge. Even less than that balls/tees/towel/covers. A one on one lesson is also a great gift idea.

Chores. Does your Dad have a chore that he especially dislikes? Perhaps walking the dog (more specifically cleaning up after the dog) or cutting the grass or weeding the garden? Offer to do this job. Maybe you offer to do it once, or perhaps you offer to do it for a month. Either way your dad will really enjoy putting his feet up and watching you do his job.

Sports. Does your Dad have an affinity for baseball that you just don’t understand? Whatever the sporting event is, buy tickets and your dad will have a great time. If you’re concerned with budget, look for deals as many teams offer discounts and specials.

Power Tools. This is not Mother’s Day. It’s more than acceptable to give the old man a power tool with the blatant implication that he has to use it and build something.

An Indulgence. You know what I mean. Whether it be cigars or brandy, you know what your dad likes. For this gift I would go as top shelf as possible, as he’ll notice and appreciate the difference. Proprietors of these stores are usually very helpful, and will steer you in the right direction.

Music. Has it been a losing battle replenishing your dad’s music selection as the music industry technology has increased? From vinyl to cassettes to CDs to MP3 players, it’s understandable if the music collection isn’t what it used to be. Help your Dad out. Whether it be a MP3 player of any sort or CDs your dad will appreciate the thought. If you have no idea what he might like or you want to get him something different, this NPR list of top 50 voices is a good place to start.

Amusement Parks. Do you live real close to an amusement park but can never find the time to get there? This Father’s Day make the time! Treat your dad to endless carnival games and roller coaster rides. Sure to be rip-roaring fun.

Toys. More specifically electronic toys. Whether it's a new laptop, e-book reader, digital camera or a flip camera there are a lot of fun new toys that your Dad might not buy on his own. So help him out and browse Amazon's Top Selling Electronics for some more ideas.

What are you planning on getting your father this year? (We can keep a secret.) Let us know in the comments section below. Or share any other gift ideas you might have.

June 10, 2011

Are you running out of time and need some quick 2014 Graduation Party Ideas? Having an open house graduation party is a great way to accommodate all of the well wishers your grad is sure to have, and it is easy and quick to plan. Here are some tips and ideas to help you throw together a fantastic party.

Graduation Open House Menu

You don't want to serve a big, everybody sit down meal at this party since the idea of the open house is to let people come and go at their pace. Just set out a buffet of foods and let the guests help themselves. Consider the grad's favorite foods when planning the menu. You may want to consider going semi-potluck - you can provide the main course and a few close relatives can bring a side dish. There's bound to be a local establishment that will provide pans of food so no one has to cook. My foolproof open house menu:

Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken in crockpots, buns for sandwiches

Pizza (Mix it up by serving some unique toppings in addition to the standard cheese and pepperoni)

A fool proof decorating scheme is to use school colors. Colors from the high school OR the college your grad will be attending are both good choices. Balloon bouquets, crepe paper and tableware can decorate the party area easily and inexpensively.

A must have is a memory table devoted to the grad. Make a scrapbook or story board of pictures, mementos and accomplishments. This is a great spot for a sign in book where guests can leave messages to the grad.

Graduation Party Favors

A picture of the graduate is a great party favor. Place them in inexpensive frames and arrange them on a table so guests can grab them on the way out of the party. Enjoy the party and congrats to the grad!

June 09, 2011

I think the summer of 2011 should be called the Summer of the Super Hero. Thor has already rocked out with his hammer and the X-Men took us back to the sixties. All of this gives me high hopes for Green Lantern which is being released June 17th.

Just like Thor you need a movie release party that meets Green Lantern’s level. We’re here to help. If you need more great superhero party ideas, make sure to check out our Batman Theme Birthday Party!Start the party off right by choosing your guests with Green Lantern Invitations. Settle on an early start time and insist on a RSVP date as you’ll want to buy tickets in advance.

Because there is never enough movie popcorn to go around you’ll have to make a menu that feeds all your guests and fits with your theme. How would I accomplish this? I plan on serving green food. And no, I don’t mean rotten food! I plan on channeling my inner Seuss and dyeing my food. I’m going to try my hand and attempt to dye: macaroni, sugar cookies, ice cream, marshmallows, and green jello. (This is not a menu I would recommend for people looking to diet.) After their initial reactions, I think they’ll appreciate the commitment to detail.

Of course with all of this food, I need to give my guests something to drink. I’ll start with Mountain Dew. Does it get any greener? I do not know. An added benefit to the Dew is the fact that we’ll all be wired for the Midnight movie viewing.

Now for the adult guests I'm going to be serving green jello shots throughout the night. These should be a nice added touch to the party. But safety first, and adults only.

While the real entertainment is the movie, I think having a few party games before the movie is a good idea. I think I’m going to try out this Green Lantern game and see how it plays out. But because it’s summer and should be warm out, I’m also going to add a touch of old school and bring out a ring toss game. The movie is all about the ring, so why not battle with your friends?I’ll be giving my guests their party favors as we make our way to the theater for the premiere. I want them to feel like part of the corp so I’m giving them all Green Lantern Tattoos, Green Lantern Movie Stickers and, of course, green LED rings.

June 08, 2011

Oh, summer I’ve missed you. The nicer, warmer weather lends itself to outdoor parties. And there is nothing I like more than a great summer party with lots of guests, with an array of outdoor party games happening.

Due to space constraints, many of these parties serve their food buffet style while asking guests to pitch in with an appetizer or dessert. This is a wonderful way to host a party, but the problem is that the maker of the dish isn’t going to be hanging around their dish all day. (It is a party after all, and that horseshoe isn’t going to throw itself.) So what to do when people are allergic to certain types of food? (Big issue at the office as one of us is really allergic to fish.)

I think labeling your dish serves two purposes. One it let’s everyone know what they are eating, which is always a good thing. Secondly, if someone is allergic to something they have a better idea of knowing if it’s safe to eat or not. If there is any doubt they know what the dish is and can hunt out the maker of the dish.

An easy way to label your dish is to put a toothpick in your dish with the name of the dish attached. I would stay away from putting a piece of paper next to your dish because the paper can get moved or thrown out. Play it safe.

This simple party tip can serve you well. Plus if you make a really great dish you might overhear people talking about how good it was, which is really what we all want to hear. (At least I want to hear that.) Do you have any other picnic party tips that you enjoy? Feel free to share them in the comments section below.

Summer’s here and that means ice cream! My kids (and I) jump for joy at the sound of the ice cream truck. There’s just something about running down the driveway to pick out your favorite ice cream and eating it on the porch on a warm day.

Activities would be simply running around outside, drawing with chalk and running through the sprinkler. I also love this ice cream cone piñata as a fun game! And, did you know that you can hire the ice cream truck to come to your house? Most have a minimum amount you have to spend, but if you don’t use your minimum at your party you can take ice cream to go and keep it for another time. Can you imagine how excited everyone will be when the ice cream truck pulls up to your house? Fantastic!

An ice cream party is a great, easy party to host in the summer. If you decide to have one, save me a cone!